Assahafa.com
For the third year in a row, the Kingdom of Morocco chaired Africa Day celebrations in Berlin on Thursday, with this year’s event held under the theme: “German Investments in Africa: Challenges and Perspectives.”
Morocco’s Ambassador to Germany, Zohour Alaoui, chaired the Committee of African Ambassadors in Berlin in charge of organizing the commemoration. The event was held in partnership with the German Development Bank (KfW) and the Sub-Saharan Africa Initiative of German Business (SAFRI).
Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali-Radovan, and Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Stefan Rouenhoff, attended the event, along with accredited African ambassadors, German officials, representatives of German political foundations, and business leaders.
Speaking on behalf of the African diplomatic corps, Alaoui noted that this year’s Africa Day takes place against the backdrop of significant geopolitical shifts and the formation of a new federal government in Germany.
“Our continent is indispensable in addressing major global challenges,” Alaoui said, highlighting Germany’s longstanding engagement with Africa through various strategic frameworks. However, she emphasized that greater efforts are needed to realize the full potential of economic ties between Africa and Germany, particularly in boosting bilateral trade, which remains limited.
Referencing the German government’s pledge to pursue an Africa policy “commensurate with the continent’s strategic importance,” Alaoui called for a more ambitious partnership. “Rarely have our shared interests aligned as closely as they do today,” she said.
Alabali-Radovan echoed this sentiment, stating that African countries are “more important partners than ever” for Germany, describing international cooperation and development policy as essential instruments of solidarity, justice, peace, and security and values that Germany shares with Africa.
“The world needs more international cooperation,” Alabali-Radovan said, adding that the Federal Government has made “the right decision to uphold a robust and independent development policy,” one that must evolve with shifting global and domestic contexts.
The minister pointed to the current coalition agreement, which commits the German government to a policy approach that reflects Africa’s strategic weight. This includes aligning development cooperation more closely with foreign trade promotion and encouraging economic partnerships, particularly in the energy sector, based on mutual respect and reciprocity.
To harness the continent’s vast potential, she added, her ministry will align its efforts with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, using public funds as a catalyst for increased German private investment in Africa.
Source: map
